Kara DioGuardi Joins the Inaugural New York Run for Her Friendship Walk

Popular Los Angeles Walk Sparks Sister Event in New York to Raise Support for Ovarian Cancer Research and Awareness

Los Angeles - Sept. 4, 2013 - A charitable Los Angeles tradition is coming to New York City with the Run for Her® New York Friendship Walk on Oct. 27 to support ovarian cancer research and awareness.

Kara DioGuardi, GRAMMY nominated songwriter, Warner Bros. executive, Arthouse Entertainment music publisher and former "American Idol" judge, will serve as spokeswoman for the inaugural New York Run for Her. DioGuardi, whose mother died of ovarian cancer, underwent genetic testing after hearing a news report about ovarian cancer and genetics. Tests revealed DioGuardi had the BRCA2 gene mutation, which greatly increases the chance of developing breast and ovarian cancers. She underwent surgery to remove her uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes to reduce her chance of developing the disease.

"I am thrilled to be a part of supporting such an important cause," DioGuardi said. "Raising awareness and research funds are crucial to curing this hideous disease."

Run for Her supports the Women's Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai's Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute in Los Angeles. "Ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths among women, mainly because women aren't aware of the common symptoms, including consistent bloating, pelvic pain and frequent urination," said Beth Y. Karlan, MD, director of the Women's Cancer Program. "Early diagnosis and treatment saves lives — as does raising awareness and essential research funds. I consider all Run for Her participants and advocates to be true heroes."

Registration costs $35. Participants can sign up in advance or on the day of the walk. For additional information and a downloadable registration form, visit runforher.kintera.org/ny or call toll-free 888-704-6178.

New York's Run for Her begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Hudson River Park, located at Pier 84 (cross at 44th Street). The course begins at Pier 84 at 44th Street, heads toward Pier 62 on 22nd Street, and then loops back to Pier 84. A post-walk celebration is scheduled.

Run for Her was founded in 2005 by Kelli Sargent in honor of her mother, Nanci Sargent, who lost her life to ovarian cancer. Kelli says that the run-walk "carries forward Mom's strength, inspiration and compassion" as well as her dream of helping medical science develop a cure for the disease.

Run for Her proved so popular in Los Angeles that participants organized the first New York event to underscore the importance of advancing medical discoveries and treatments for ovarian cancer. This year more than 5,000 people are expected to participate in the Los Angeles event on Nov. 10.

To date, more than $5 million has been raised to support the work of the Women’s Cancer Program.

About the Women’s Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai:The Women’s Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai’s Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute works to end cancer as a threat to women through research, education, early detection and prevention. Established in January 2002, the Women’s Cancer Program fosters collaborative research between scientists and physicians to bring innovative laboratory discoveries directly to women with breast and gynecologic cancers. Under the leadership of Dr. Beth Y. Karlan, an internationally recognized gynecologic cancer surgeon and research scientist, the Women’s Cancer Program works side-by-side with Cedars-Sinai's patient care programs and services to integrate research across a wide spectrum of programs devoted to preventing, diagnosing and treating women's cancers.